(COMS) BELLSOUTH, 3COM TO DELIVER HIGH-SPEED CONNECTIVITY
Business/Technology Editors
bloomberg.com
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 1999--
First-of-its-Kind Alliance Makes Information Access Easier
for Millions of Potential Customers
BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) and 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today
announced joint plans to market and deliver easy-to-use high-speed
Internet and data access via ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber
line). The alliance, the first of its kind in the ADSL industry, will
make it easier for customers in 30 southeastern markets to activate
BellSouth's Internet service using 3Com(R) brand modems at speeds up
to 50 times faster than most current Internet connections - all in one
simple, easy-to-use package.
BellSouth and 3Com plan to roll out BellSouth.net(SM)
FastAccess(SM) ADSL Internet service using 3Com modems to consumers
and small businesses later this year. Over five million ADSL capable
customer telephone lines will be available during the rollout.
Initially, the two companies expect to offer full-rate ADSL services
and modems as early as spring 1999. Moving forward, the companies plan
to incorporate the G.lite (splitterless ADSL service) standard when it
is ratified (anticipated summer 1999). For those areas where DSL is
not feasible, BellSouth and 3Com will provide traditional, analog
dial-up services and modems.
BellSouth and 3Com will use their many strengths, including
extensive channel reach and wide brand recognition, to speed service
selection and activation. For example, the companies expect to offer
high-speed data access services and 3Com modems through joint retail
and online locations and BellSouth's sales offices. After determining
if ADSL is available in their geographic locations, customers can then
request BellSouth.net FastAccess ADSL service and purchase a 3Com
modem while in the retail or web store.
"Reliable, high-speed Internet access is a priority for our
customers, and BellSouth is leading the charge," said John Robinson,
vice president of strategic management for BellSouth. "This alliance
with 3Com provides a bundled product that gets the customer up and
running with one stop. 3Com's leadership in customer networking
equipment is a valuable complement to BellSouth's quality Internet and
data services."
"BellSouth customers will soon be able to enjoy a simpler way of
signing up for the speed and reliability of ADSL connections," said
Janice Roberts, 3Com's senior vice president of business development.
"This extensive deployment demonstrates 3Com's commitment to
accelerate emerging market standards and make them a reality. Our
alliance with BellSouth - encompassing several divisions - also
demonstrates 3Com's vision of pervasive networking, keeping customers
more connected."
This alliance broadens the relationship between BellSouth and
3Com, which began two months ago with an alliance that will utilize
the nationwide BellSouth Wireless Network to power the Palm VII(TM)
connected organizer. Wireless Subscription Management (WSM), a network
feature unveiled by BellSouth Wireless Data, will enable those
purchasing the Palm VII to select service options and activate their
devices right out of the box.
Building on its acknowledged leadership in the analog modem
market, 3Com is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge, emerging
technologies to market - such as DSL client products. Easy-to-install,
high-speed connectivity to and within the home is also a cornerstone
of 3Com's pervasive networking vision.
Today's alliance is one of several strategic relationships
BellSouth is pursuing to provide the best Internet services to the
company's current customers and build new customer relationships with
these premier offerings. To achieve this goal, relationships with
Internet connectivity companies like 3Com are critical; most customers
can use existing computers to enjoy high-speed ADSL Internet access.
This alliance is part of BellSouth's overall data strategy, which is
projected to generate more than $5 billion in data services revenue
annually by 2002.
About 3Com Corporation
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation
connects more people to information in more ways than any other
networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access
products and network system solutions to large, medium and small
enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and
consumers. 3Com -- More Connected.(TM) For further information, visit
3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at
www.3com.com/pressbox.3Com.
About BellSouth
BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) is a $23 billion communications services
company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications,
cable and digital TV, directory advertising and publishing, and
Internet and data services to nearly 34 million customers in 19
countries worldwide. For more information on BellSouth, visit the Web
site at www.bellsouth.com. For details on BellSouth.net FastAccess
ADSL Internet service, visit www.bellsouth.net/external/adsl.
3Com is a registered trademark and More connected. is a trademark
of 3Com Corporation. All other trademarks and trade names belong to
their respective holders.
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